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" (No Model.)

.A. E. FRENCH. SIGNAL CALL BOX.

No.. 539,049. F341? Patented 14, 1895.

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V SIGNAL CALL-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 539,049, dated May 14, 1895.

Application filed September 7| 1894:. $erial No. 522,373. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT E. FRENCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis,in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal Gall-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my said invention is to provide a box or receptacle for orders and the like, particularly for the use of tradesmen, which shall have connected therewith a signal to indicate when the box contains an order, or otherwise, according to the use to which the device is put.

Said device will be first fully described, and the novel features thereof then pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof, and on which similar letters of reference indicate similar parts, Figure 1 is a front elevation of my device in a form adapted for tradesmens serv ice, the same being closed, but the display'position of the signal being indicated by means of dotted lines; Fig.2, a similar view with the front of the box cut away and the signal raised or displayed; Fig. 3, a transverse sectional view alongside the signal, and Fig. 4 a horizontal sectional view.

In said drawings the portions marked A represent the back of the device; B, the front and sides of the box; 0, the cover, and D the signal staff.

The back A may be of any desired form.\

As shown, its lower portion forms a back for the box, and its upper portion is a frame containing a'sign or inscription. Said frame is preferably adapted'to receive a pane of glass, behind which the inscription or sign (generally printed or painted on card-board or other thin material) is placed, so as to be seen through the glass.

The box is formed in part of the lower portion of the back A, and in part of the front, bottom and ends B, and is of sufficient size to receive orders, letters, a pass-book, or whatever is desired to be placed therein, and also contains the signal apparatus. As I prefer to construct it, it consists of two compartments divided by a partition B, and said partition has bearings 19 for the pivot d of the signal apparatus. The larger compartment is for the use above stated, while the smaller compartment is to receive the weight or spring which operates the signal.

The cover 0 serves the usual purpose of a cover for the box. It has a slot 0 extending back from its front edge to the point where the staff of the signal stands when said siga.

nal is raised. It is preferably also provided with a lock, which may be operated by a key to be inserted through the key-hole k in the box front B, or otherwise.

The signal consists preferably of a stafi D mounted on a pivot 01 in the bearing 1), and carrying on its upper end a flag D and on its bottom end a weight D A spring may, of course, be substituted for the weight, as a spring and a weight are well-known mechanical equivalents.

I will illustrate the operation of my device by the case when it is employed in a tradesmans service. The device, in such a case, is attached to some suitable support at or near the residence of the customer, who, as well as the tradesmans delivery clerk, is provided with a key thereto. The customer, when desiring to give an order for goods, writes the order on a slip, or in a pass-book, or whatever is used for the purpose, and, unlocking the box, deposits the same in said box. When the cover is raised, the signal, under the impetus of its weight or spring, also rises to its visible position. The cover may then be closed and locked, leaving the signal exposed. When the tradesman or his delivery clerk passes, he will see that the signal is exposed, which will indicate that there is an order awaiting him, which he may stop and secure, at once, without disturbing the customer, or consuming the time which would e necessary if the order were to be written out at the time; and also saving the time and trouble of stopping when there is no order awaiting him. After securing the order, he forces the signal backinto its place, and closes and locks the box, which is then ready for further use.

While Ihave described my invention as applied to tradesmens use, it may obviously be applied to other uses, as in the collection or delivery of mail; its manipulation in such cases being according to the system employed, as will be readily understood.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to sethe partition 13 and provided with a weight cure by Letters Patent, is or spring for automatically throwing said 1. Thecornbination ofabox,itscover,asigstafi into upright position, substantially as I; nal fitted within said box, and means for raisset forth.

5 ing said signal when the cover is opened, said In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my cover being formed to also permit the signalhand and seal, at Noblesville, Indiana, this staff to remain erect when closed, substan- 28th day of August, A. D. 1894. tially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, in a signal call box, of ALBERT FRENCH [o the back A, the box B having a central parti- \Vitnesses:

tion B',a cover 0 having a slot 0, and a signal JAMES A. WALSH, consisting of a staff D pivoted in hearings in EDGAR A. KINGSLEY. 

